Ooh! Grew up in the tiny village of Hinxton equidistant from Great Chesterford and Whittlesford stations. Great Chesterford station had been used as a restaurant for a while but failed and I remember exploring inside with my sister. I also remember jumping down from a locomotive hauled train at Whittlesford with my sister when we’d failed to get in the right part of the train for the short platform there. The bottom of the door was level with our heads IIRC. Perhaps we were a little shorter in those days. The line was just being electrified when we moved away. Back in these days the main Cambridge to London trains ran on this route into Liverpool Street. The route via Royston was electrified later and became the faster route. Previously a DMU shuttle ran from Cambridge to Royston for onward electric trains. The smaller stations that you visited for the movie (ie all except Audley End) had a train every two hours and none on Sundays.
I lived in Hinxton for a year during covid. My partner worked at the massive science campus next to the village (The Wellcome Sanger Institute). It should really have it's own station, it's a massive employer and it's expanding to be twice it's current size in the next 5-10 years. At the moment it's basically 100% car dependent apart from a few shuttle buses to/from Whittlesford Parkway and Cambridge. Also Whittlesford Parkway joins Great Chesterford in the "no level access between platforms" club. There's a theoretical 4 1/2 mile route, but that's it.
Brilliant video Sarah, those stations do look nice, CrossCountry did call at Audley End on the Birmingham to Stanstead Airport service before that virus wrecked havoc. Also don't even get me started on CrossCountry train formations lol.
Sarah behind your left shoulder, in the view of you at the London End of the Up Platform, you can see a brick building with white weatherboards on the roof, in the station car park. This is the original waiting shelter for Platform 3 (the branch line to Bartlow Junction). I have actually walked the trackbed from Ashdon to Bartlow Junction, when the Signalbox at Bartlow Junction was still there. You could climb the Signalbox. Done it ! The second footbridge, is the older one.
Hi Sarah, thanks for the history lessons, I used to sign this route when I was Driver. One point I would like to correct you on, the sign at Audley End advising about the paitwork, it might look non existant, but I can assure you that it does exist because it is special anti-climb paint, which is a bugger to get off of your clothes AND your hands. I know because I was one of the people involved in having it put there when I became the Trespass and Vandalism Manager. Take care, Jon B.
I would love for level crossing radar to be real! I do always peruse Google maps to check for level crossings in the area so an automatic radar system would be a great help!
@stephendavies6949 Oh don't get me started on that one! First took that train in 2009 and I can count on the fingers of one hand the amount of times it's had more than 2 carriages.
Just before the class 720s were introduced by Greater Anglia, they had a consultation period and one of the points I raised was about the lack of padding in the seats! Although, to be fair, I actually find them to be quite comfortable on my daily commute. I find the seats on the class 745 much more uncomfortable, simply because the seat backs are so tall (at least for me).
Had to get off the London bound side in my manual wheelchair once late at night. No staff around so had to lower myself backwards out of the door and it was about a foot down to the platform. Was lucky not to tip myself out of the chair.
The drop from the train to the platform is not good at all especially with unstaffed stations and driver only operated trains. Sorry you had to experience that and glad you're ok.
There used to be a Ciba-Geigy chemical works at Great Chesterford. I had a job interview there in the 1980s. Back then the train ftom Cambridge was a rattling Class 105. Ciba Geigy had a private siding for delivery of chemical raw materials. Anyway I didn’t get the job. I guess the works closed as I didn't see any sign of it in your film.
Isn't that the site that is now Huntsman chemicals? Its quite a way north of the village and is really closer to Duxford village than Chesterford. The site did used to have its own sidings, the route of which can still be seen on google earth. 👍
@Pesmog looking at Google Maps you're probably right. I thought the site was closer to Great Chesterford, but it's a long time ago and my memory could be playing tricks.
Hi Sarah. I cross the level crossing at Great Shelford quite often. As a motorist, it is a bit of a nightmare due to the dip in the road as it crosses the tracks. Furthermore, compared to other crossings, it appears to hold up traffic for longer than others. I have visited Zara, the indian restaurant a few times and I can recommend it. Where do you live by the way (full address NOT required)? Have a great New Year.
It might be worth just sticking a high pass filter on the audio in your editing software just to take the super low wobbing sound out. It's pretty unnerving listening with big speakers.
Great video as always Sarah. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Have a great Christmas. Thanks for all the great content in 2024.
Ooh! Grew up in the tiny village of Hinxton equidistant from Great Chesterford and Whittlesford stations. Great Chesterford station had been used as a restaurant for a while but failed and I remember exploring inside with my sister. I also remember jumping down from a locomotive hauled train at Whittlesford with my sister when we’d failed to get in the right part of the train for the short platform there. The bottom of the door was level with our heads IIRC. Perhaps we were a little shorter in those days. The line was just being electrified when we moved away. Back in these days the main Cambridge to London trains ran on this route into Liverpool Street. The route via Royston was electrified later and became the faster route. Previously a DMU shuttle ran from Cambridge to Royston for onward electric trains. The smaller stations that you visited for the movie (ie all except Audley End) had a train every two hours and none on Sundays.
I lived in Hinxton for a year during covid. My partner worked at the massive science campus next to the village (The Wellcome Sanger Institute). It should really have it's own station, it's a massive employer and it's expanding to be twice it's current size in the next 5-10 years. At the moment it's basically 100% car dependent apart from a few shuttle buses to/from Whittlesford Parkway and Cambridge.
Also Whittlesford Parkway joins Great Chesterford in the "no level access between platforms" club. There's a theoretical 4 1/2 mile route, but that's it.
I was born and raised in Essex and we always considered ourselves as part of East Anglia. Great video, keep it up
I agree as well. I also live in Essex and grew up in Norfolk when I was a young child.
You are fab.
Found this very interesting. Look forward to more
Brilliant video Sarah, those stations do look nice, CrossCountry did call at Audley End on the Birmingham to Stanstead Airport service before that virus wrecked havoc. Also don't even get me started on CrossCountry train formations lol.
im loving all the stations which all look like lovely stations brilliant vlog
The "Tony the tiger" bit made me spit my tea. Fab! :)
Sarah behind your left shoulder, in the view of you at the London End of the Up Platform, you can see a brick building with white weatherboards on the roof, in the station car park. This is the original waiting shelter for Platform 3 (the branch line to Bartlow Junction).
I have actually walked the trackbed from Ashdon to Bartlow Junction, when the Signalbox at Bartlow Junction was still there. You could climb the Signalbox. Done it !
The second footbridge, is the older one.
@@polythenewrappedme6102 Thank you for the extra info 🙂
My pleasure.
Hi Sarah, thanks for the history lessons, I used to sign this route when I was Driver. One point I would like to correct you on, the sign at Audley End advising about the paitwork, it might look non existant, but I can assure you that it does exist because it is special anti-climb paint, which is a bugger to get off of your clothes AND your hands. I know because I was one of the people involved in having it put there when I became the Trespass and Vandalism Manager.
Take care, Jon B.
Excellent video as always 👍
Excellent video, Sarah, and very informative as always 👍
Great video, Sarah 😃
Another great exploration. :)
Great Informative video Sarah subscribed and liked x
16:28 I often wonder if there is such a thing as a level crossing radar and if there is, I bet you have one Sarah :)
I would love for level crossing radar to be real! I do always peruse Google maps to check for level crossings in the area so an automatic radar system would be a great help!
Hi Sarah. That short Stanstead to B'ham NS train reminded me of the even shorter one (2 carriages) from Norwich to Liverpool Lime St. Outrageous!
@stephendavies6949 Oh don't get me started on that one! First took that train in 2009 and I can count on the fingers of one hand the amount of times it's had more than 2 carriages.
@sarahwiththetrains Ah, a fellow sufferer. I've sent 2 lots of "feedback" to EMR on the subject. Heard nothing back....
Great Chesterford station also serves Saffron Walden as well I think. I haven’t been to Saffron Walden and Great Chesterford.
I love the rabbit , great film too
North Essex is East Anglia, so that includes Saffron Walden, Halstead, Colchester, Clacton and Harwich.
Just before the class 720s were introduced by Greater Anglia, they had a consultation period and one of the points I raised was about the lack of padding in the seats! Although, to be fair, I actually find them to be quite comfortable on my daily commute. I find the seats on the class 745 much more uncomfortable, simply because the seat backs are so tall (at least for me).
Went to Audley End House earlier in the year, highly recommended.
Had to get off the London bound side in my manual wheelchair once late at night. No staff around so had to lower myself backwards out of the door and it was about a foot down to the platform. Was lucky not to tip myself out of the chair.
The drop from the train to the platform is not good at all especially with unstaffed stations and driver only operated trains. Sorry you had to experience that and glad you're ok.
Thank you for the interesting video! At 10:54 there is a door with a sign saying; "Switch Room" What is a switch room?
What camera do you use?
@ElijahsTransport Canon EOS M50. Very, very occasionally I'll use my phone but my preference is my camera.
Hi Sarah,
Your start and end stations have wonderful names - wonder how and why they got that name
Great video Sarah!
Ditto my comments elsewhere.
🙂👍
Like Tony the Tiger would say.... They're gr-r-eat.... Stations and really enjoyed the video
The x country 170s are full by the time they get to Peterborough 😊
There used to be a Ciba-Geigy chemical works at Great Chesterford. I had a job interview there in the 1980s. Back then the train ftom Cambridge was a rattling Class 105. Ciba Geigy had a private siding for delivery of chemical raw materials. Anyway I didn’t get the job. I guess the works closed as I didn't see any sign of it in your film.
Isn't that the site that is now Huntsman chemicals? Its quite a way north of the village and is really closer to Duxford village than Chesterford. The site did used to have its own sidings, the route of which can still be seen on google earth. 👍
@Pesmog looking at Google Maps you're probably right. I thought the site was closer to Great Chesterford, but it's a long time ago and my memory could be playing tricks.
Hi Sarah. I cross the level crossing at Great Shelford quite often. As a motorist, it is a bit of a nightmare due to the dip in the road as it crosses the tracks. Furthermore, compared to other crossings, it appears to hold up traffic for longer than others. I have visited Zara, the indian restaurant a few times and I can recommend it. Where do you live by the way (full address NOT required)? Have a great New Year.
Happy New Year! Really interesting to get a motorist perspective on level crossing as I don't drive. I live in Norwich 🙂
Great video Sarah, you must do a lot of research for the background info 😊
Railway magnate who was a bit dodgy? That's a first!
Are you a Tim Traveller fan?
th-cam.com/video/7f7gQ7qTmmE/w-d-xo.html
i think there's a problem with your microphone as there's a horrible background hum on the quiet shots.
15000V DC does that!
@fussyboy2000 Unfortunately it's the overhead lines rather than the mic. It's really annoying but not a lot I can about it I'm afraid ☹️
It might be worth just sticking a high pass filter on the audio in your editing software just to take the super low wobbing sound out. It's pretty unnerving listening with big speakers.